BLUEMOMENT

I've finally done it and now have a month off for sailing, my intention is to head towards Skye from Ardrossan.
It typically takes me about 16 hours to get from Ardrossan to Islay, and a good sail, weather permitting.

Is it better to sail from Islay, up the Sound of Islay to Colonsay, on to Mull and then on to Skye or is it better to west and round the south of Islay up to Tiree and on to Skye ?

What should I make stops for ? Any good places to run to if the weather is bad ?

I would probably choose the former route - the tide in the the Sound of Islay can give a significant boost. It would probably be shorter in miles too I expect, as well as a bit more sheltered.

Being based near Oban, I would think first of Sounds of Jura, Luing and Mull. Much more shelter and prolonged favourable tides if you time it right.

It all depends on the weather ...

Derek

I would agree with the Sound of Islay rather than round Islay's west coast. Thereafter, in good weather I would probably go via the Sound of Iona and the Treshnish Isles. Useful refuges would be Oronsay or Scalasaig (if no E in wind), Tinker's Hole, Gometra (N or S to suit wind), Arinagour (again, not in E'lies), and Canna. In bad weather, particularly in a strong NW, I would agree with cpedw's recommended route, then up the Sound of Sleat.

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Thanks for the comments, so it looks like the inside track and Oban then Tobermory and then on.

Anything I should definitely stop and see ?

Do yer own passage-planning ya lazy bu66er!

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Just because you're paranoid
doesn't mean they're not out to get you.

And there I was hoping someone out there might know more than me and share some places I'd never thought of....

I've had nasty experiences off the Oa and up the Sound of Islay. Wind over tide is not fun in either place, so I would definitely have a Plan B in place if I was thinking of contemplating either. That said, if I were going where you are going my Plan A would be through the Sound of Islay, up by Iona and northwards.

And if the weather later in the week is as pish as the forecasts suggest, I'd have Plan C(anal) ready too ...

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Never attribute to malice that which is adequately explained by stupidity - Hanlon's Razor
But don't rule out malice - First Corollary to Hanlon's Razor

Not entirely sure about that... Rum's worth a visit, particularly if you like hills as well as sailing. On Skye - the whole West side is rather exposed, though I'd go back to the old inn at Carbost for pub grub (Talisker nearby as well). Stein - Loch Bay near Dunvegan has reasonable shelter. Providing the weather is kind- Loch Brittle has good views of most of the Cuillin hills- for a short stop anyway, maybe less exciting than Loch Scavaig.
Sandaig bay -on the north side of Loch Hourn's entrance is a fair place in a N/NW - or waiting for the tide to go through Kyle Rhea. Ditto Isle Ornsay on Skye. It's only about 20miles over to North Uist as welll - just a few hours at the helm?
We saw very few boats North & West of Mull this summer -commercial or sailing - excluding Calmac ferries charging around
Have fun. -coming back to the Clyde next week..

Graeme

The west side of Mull is worth visiting; Traigh Gheal, Fiddler's/Tinker's Hole, Gometra/Ulva, Calgary Bay etc etc etc....

Assuming you'll be sailing from Skye at some point - perhaps consider going one way and back another?
In which case I'd be inclined to go outside and come back inside as the headwinds you will inevitably meet will be countered by the more sheltered waters?
You just need southerlies to get you there

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Regards

http://www.yotblog.com/claymore/

+1 for Traigh Gheal - a very pretty beach and with quite good shelter -assuming little SW swell around.
Also been into Bunessan - close NE to the little peir in the west bay - but clear of mooorings - it was fine (the regular anchorage near the main peir was congested) Nice & quiet.
The sound of Iona is interesting though not exactly scary. It IS stunningly shallow in the middle though !
Coll's not very far away and worth a visit as well. (moorings are now sorted -with pick ups- only for getting yourself attached -before putting your own lines on!) Pay at hotel bar. Still plenty of space to anchor anyway.

Likewise for Knockvologan (Bagh a' Ghnoic Mhaoileanaich), where we anchored overnight a couple of years ago.

Incidentally, Bunessan and Fionnphort are about the only places in that west of Mull area where stores can be taken on. You can often buy fish from boats unloading at the jetty.


- Bunessan anchorage

The other end of the Sound of Erraid is very nice as well. Good holding and the Fidden Farm campsite has very good showers. One goes well in and anchors more or less opposite the Stevenson lighthouse harbour or Erraid.

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Never attribute to malice that which is adequately explained by stupidity - Hanlon's Razor
But don't rule out malice - First Corollary to Hanlon's Razor

The fishermen will sell you diesel if you are running short.
Enjoy,
C_W